Embattled Attorney General Resigns NYTimes
BREAKING Monday AM http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/27/washington/27cnd-gonzales.html?_r=2&oref=slogin (h)
Embattled Attorney General Resigns By STEVEN LEE MYERS WACO, Tex., Aug. 27 — Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales, whose tenure has been marred by controversy and accusations of perjury before Congress, has resigned. A senior administration official said he would announce the decision later this morning in Washington.
Excerpt Only:
Mr. Gonzales, who had rebuffed calls for his resignation, submitted his to President Bush by telephone on Friday, the official said…Bush has not yet chosen a replacement but will not leave the position open long, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the resignation had not yet been made public.
Mr. Bush had repeatedly stood by Mr. Gonzales, an old friend and colleague from Texas, even as Mr. Gonzales faced increasing scrutiny for his leadership of the Justice Department, over issues including his role in the dismissals of nine United States attorneys late last year and whether he testified truthfully about the National Security Agency’s surveillance programs.
(Earlier) Mr. Bush said. “I mean, this is a man who has testified, he’s sent thousands of papers up there.(To Congress) There’s no proof of wrong.�
Mr. Gonzales’s resignation is the latest in a series of high-level departures that has reshaped the end of Mr. Bush’s second term. Karl Rove, another of Mr. Bush’s close circle of aides from Texas, stepped down two weeks ago. Philip Shenon contributed reporting.
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